New Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has vowed to launch a twin assault on the Barclays Premier League and Champions League with free-flowing, attacking football.

The Chilean took over at the Etihad Stadium on Friday, signing a three-year contract a month after City sacked Roberto Mancini.

The former Malaga boss praised Mancini for winning the Premier League and FA Cup during his three and a half years at the club but made it clear that he will do things his way as he looks to win the league title back from rivals Manchester United.

Ready for action: Manuel Pellegrini says Man City have the best squad in the Premier League

New in town: The experienced Pellegrini is a Premier League first-timer

Careful, Manuel!

Pellegrini's English is not bad, but when referring to Manchester United, he simply called them 'Manchester'. If he keeps that up, City fans won't be hugely impressed.

Pellegrini said: ‘I’m sure we have the best squad in the Premier League. We have wonderful players and we can reach important titles in the next three or four seasons here.

‘Manchester City also has great fans. We have everything we need to be successful next year.

‘I think that Roberto did a great job for Manchester, winning the title after 44 years but I think now we start a new cycle and style of club, adding to what Roberto has done in the last few years but I hope that we’re starting another way of playing.

Troubled time: Roberto Mancini (left) was sacked after what was deemed a disappointing season

‘I like attractive football, attacking football, so that all the people who come to the stadium will enjoy the way we play.

‘We are not going to be a team who
will score a goal and then go back waiting for a counter-attack. We will
always try to play at the opposite end of the pitch, and play
attractive football.

‘I’m sure 100 per cent that I won’t have any problem being in the Premier League.

‘I worked in four or five countries in
my career — Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Spain for about nine years —
and now England. I know a lot about the Premier League. So I have no
problem in that sense. I will adapt without problems.’

In handing Pellegrini a three-year deal, the powerful City duo of chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain have underlined how they believe managers can stay at one club for only short spells before they go stale.

Mancini was given a five-year deal after winning the title but was sacked less than a year into it.

‘Everyone knows if you arrive at a club like Manchester City that you must win titles,’ added Pellegrini.

‘City have invested a lot of money in improving the squad every year and to try to win titles every year. Last season they were not successful in winning a title but I’m sure next year we’re going to win maybe the Premier League or the Champions League. We’re going to try to win it all.’

Excited: Khaldoon Al Mubarak welcomed Pellegrini to the club and hailed his proven track record

Pellegrini will bring three ‘trusted lieutenants’ with him.

His long-standing friend and right-hand man Ruben Cousillas will be his assistant, while goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor and fitness coach Jose Cabello also join City.

Former City player Brian Kidd will retain his position as coach.

‘It is important to me that Brian remains part of the coaching team,’ said Pellegrini.

‘He has great football knowledge, knows the league, the players and will be a big part of what we try to achieve. We have spoken and we are all excited to work together.’

Soriano said last month that City will try to develop the Barcelona system that sees all the club’s teams from juniors upwards playing the same 4-3-3- system. He also said bringing players through from the academy is vital.

Pellegrini said: ‘Every day we have to have contact with Brian Marwood at the youth academy.

‘The club have invested a lot of money in young players and that’s one of my duties here.

‘We must work very close and have involvement in the first-team squad and academy.’

Replacement: It was announced earlier in the day that Bernd Schuster would be taking over at Malaga